This Day With God – A Spiritual Journey | Share The Word

The Power Source

Posted on June 1, 2023 by Mark Shields

Because of Jesus, we receive the Holy Spirit to impact the world with a fresh breeze of peace and joy. You are connected to a power source that generates amazing grace that fuels your soul to a victorious finish.

Reading today in 1 Kings 3-4, we are given a story to illustrate Solomon’s wisdom.

Two harlots living together each had a baby. One of the harlots turned over during the night and smothered her baby. She then switched her baby during the night. When the other harlot woke up to see that the baby next to her was dead, she also saw that it was not her baby. The harlots argued over whose baby was still alive. Solomon then ordered the baby to be split in half giving each half to the harlots. The harlot of the living baby demanded the other harlot receive the baby. This told Solomon whose baby was still alive. The people heard the verdict the king had given, and they held the king in awe because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice (v. 28).

The story of the harlots illustrates the fulfillment of God’s promises in 3:12.

I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.

Solomon was a person of wisdom and good judgment in handling conflict. He was organized and delegated tasks to his governors so they produced provisions for his kingdom. Nothing was lacking and the people lived in peace.

Because God had given Solomon certain qualities like great wisdom and insight, people from nations around the world wanted to come listen and learn. We should think of the qualities God has given each of us. We can do more than we ever dreamed because God is with us and will carry us to greatness with the wisdom and knowledge revealed in His Plan for us.

Lord, we are thankful for today’s lesson on the great power and strength You provide. You gave great wisdom to Solomon because that’s what he prayed for. Solomon’s purpose was to be a great king. Today, we pray that You give each of us a purpose. The first step is accepting Jesus in our heart. With Jesus in our heart, we can do more than we ever dreamed of because You will carry us to victory with the wisdom and knowledge revealed in Christ. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Strength | Tagged Bible Study, Grace, Holy Spirit, Joy, Peace, Photo, Prayer, Strength, Wisdom | 1 Comment

Dream for Wisdom

Posted on May 31, 2023 by Mark Shields

Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong. – Job 6:24

Noted in “Work Toward Dreams with Determination” is that Solomon was young when he became king and lacked experience to do his duties so he asked God in a dream for wisdom in being a leader to benefit the people. We can learn from this appeal to God that a request for others instead of oneself is looked on by God in a positive way. Many times, God will not only grant our request for others but also bless us beyond measure too.

As followers of Jesus, we need to feel free to dream. To be creative in promoting our faith and what it produces to benefit those we have an impact on. Like the song In Jesus Name (God of Possible) by Katy Nichole, let us pray for others in Jesus’ name for a breakthrough to happen in their life.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Wisdom | Tagged Blessings, Creativity, Devotional, Dreams, Leadership, Praise, Wisdom, Worship | 1 Comment

Work Toward Dreams with Determination

Posted on May 30, 2023 by Mark Shields

Life is short so set sail on your destination. Go places you never thought you could go. Dream big and work toward your dreams with determination. Then as you accomplish what you set out to do, take the opportunity to celebrate.

We have set sail on the journey through 1 Kings. So far, we’ve noted that leadership is being handed over to King Solomon. In 1 Kings 3:1-15, we notice some inconsistencies in Solomon’s obedience to God.

He walked according to the instructions given to him from David except he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places (v. 3). He made an alliance with Egypt by marrying one of the Pharaoh’s daughters. Egypt was a nation that worshiped other God’s (See Ex. 34:16)

Then we note that Solomon meets God in a dream and admits that he is only a little child. That he did not know how to carry out his duties (v. 7). In the dream, God ask him what he wanted most and Solomon responded with the desire to have a discerning heart to lead his people (v. 9). That the people would live in a just nation that benefitted them so they could accomplish their dreams.

We can learn from this appeal to God that a request for others instead of oneself is looked on by God in a positive way. God will sometimes not only grant our request for others but also bless us beyond measure too.

As followers of Jesus, we need to feel free to dream. To accept God’s plan. Once we accept God’s plan for us, there is a need to be creative and to take action using our God given abilities. To be productive and accomplish the dreams for His glory.

This day with You Lord, we’ve taken a look at Your Word to gain lessons and now the Holy Spirit is speaking deep in our hearts. We pray for big dreams and that we are given ideas to benefit those we have an impact on. That You give us creativity in promoting faith for the benefit of others. In Jesus’ name … Amen!

Posted in Bible Study, Wisdom | Tagged Bible Study, Blessings, Creativity, Dreams, Leadership, Photo, Prayer, Wisdom | 2 Comments

Memorial Day 05-29-2023

Posted on May 29, 2023 by Mark Shields

Vietnam Wall Memorial in Washington D.C.

This Memorial Day, a poem posted at my other blog Step Ahead is inspired by the post Withstand the Test of Time about the need to accept God’s Way and be obedient to His will so you can build your life on an intelligently chosen path that leads to success.

Also, take inspiration from the song Build My Life by Pat Barrett ft. Cory Asbury. Live for God and not the world so what bounds us is unfurled. Be confident in Jesus who sets you free and is worthy of King for you and me. He shows us who He is and how we should be.

Posted in Memorial Day, Poems | Tagged Challenges, Decisions, Discipline, Freedom, Memorial Day, Music, Poetry, Praise, victory, Worshi | Leave a comment

Poetry Friday 05-26-2023

Posted on May 26, 2023 by Mark Shields

A poem posted at my other blog Step Ahead is inspired by the post “The Spirit Encircles the Heart” which points out that some happenings are so horrible that they make us wake up from ill-advised indifference. We need to consider what’s going on, speak our minds, make a stand, and come to the table with ideas to purge moral contamination.

As the song Come to the Table by Sidewalk Prophets points out, let us take our place beside the table and be set free. Let us come to the table next to the Savior.